Pirates win 7-5 for 3-game sweep at Rangers

Pittsburgh Pirates' Pedro Alvarez (24) takes a lead off of second during a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2013, in Arlington, Texas. The Pirates won 7-5. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Click photo for gallery

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Clint Barmes homered and drew a bases-loaded walk for the Pittsburgh Pirates, who completed a three-game sweep in an interleague matchup of wild-card leaders with a 7-5 victory over the slumping Texas Rangers on Wednesday.

Justin Morneau, acquired from Minnesota less than two weeks ago, snapped an 0-for-14 slump with four hits while scoring twice.

The Pirates (84-61) moved within a half-game of NL Central-leading St. Louis, which hosted Milwaukee on Wednesday night.

Texas (81-64) has dropped nine of its last 12, a stretch in which the Rangers have lost four consecutive series. They have gone from a three-game lead in the AL West to 2½ behind Oakland before the Athletics played at Minnesota on Wednesday night.

A.J. Burnett (8-10) struck out seven in 6 1-3 innings, though he faded late after retiring the first 13 batters he faced.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

PHOTO: Pittsburgh Pirates' Pedro Alvarez (24) takes a lead off of second during a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2013, in Arlington, Texas. The Pirates won 7-5. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today: 1. KERRY, LAVROV DELVING INTO DETAILS OF SYRIA PLAN The secretary of state arrives Geneva to work with his Russian counterpart on the proposal to confiscate and destroy the Assad regime's chemical weapons. 2. REPLACING ASSAD NO SIMPLE TASK The lack of attractive alternatives to the dictator is o